Update 11/7 – Those close to Noonie Norwood are speaking out about the death of their friend. Zakia McKensey, Director of Nationz Foundation, had known Norwood for about 14 years. The two met when Norwood was looking for advice on drag – not so much for performance, but just to be a part of the community.

“She wasn’t really an entertainer, she just wanted to begin her transition and wearing women’s clothing and stuff like that,” McKensey said. “She did it in community; she wasn’t a girl who performed (other than at home),”

The two stayed close, with McKensey calling Norwood her “daughter,” a term used in the drag community which relates to a kind of mother-daughter mentor system.

McKensey said the last time she saw Norwood was about two weeks ago at Richmond City Hall. She invited Norwood to attend a meeting of T Girls Rock, a local support group run through McKensey’s nonprofit Nationz Foundation.

“She used to call me “Mom’pie” and so she said ‘Mom’pie I promise I’m coming.’ I told her to be safe and be careful,” she said.

McKensey has reached out to the Virginia Anti Violence project and will offer a chance for those affected by Norwords passing to speak with counselors during this week’s meeting.

“It needs to be talked about,” said McKensey when asked about the deaths she and her community has experienced. “People ask me about the Black Lives Matter movement and why I understand why the movement was started and I’m concerned because I don’t feel like its inclusive of them all. I think about all the African American transgender women who have been victims of homicide and there’s no mention of them… you don’t hear anything about it.”

And while details around Norwood’s case continue to come out, McKensey hopes people will approach the situation with an open mind.

“It’s sad and its frustrating and its infuriating,” she said. “Being trans isn’t a choice, the choice is being able to walk as your authentic self and make your outside match your inside and be happy.”

UPDATE 11/6 – 8PM: GayRVA has learned from friends that Norwood did identify as trans and a facebook page for “Noony Norwood” seems to confirm as much. The top image of this article comes from that facebook page.

Although it is still early in their investigation, RPD detectives believe the man in the photo below may have been nearby at the time of the shooting. They would like to speak with him about what he may have seen and heard. He was last seen leaving the area in a dark colored sedan, possibly a Hyundai Sonata.

He is described as a black male, 30-40 years old, 6’2”- 6’4” tall, weighing approximately 290 pounds.

Detectives are confident they will be able to provide the public with a much better look at the man once the photo is enhanced. They are hopeful he may even contact them before that occurs.

William D. Norwood, 30, was found shot dead on a the 2700 block of Hull Street street early Sunday morning.

Police have been unable to determine if Norwood identified on the LGBTQ spectrum, but Norwood was found wearing women’s clothes at the time of their death. If Norwood did, they would be the second sexual minority murdered in the Richmond area in less than a month.

As for Norwood’s murder, RPD detectives have interviewed a few people, but there are others they would like to hear from; especially those who were in the area last night or may have known the victim.

“We would like to speak to anyone who may have information about Mr. Norwood – his activity that night and possible associates,” said Lt. Donald Davenport. “We have interviewed a Good Samaritan who stopped to render aid, but there were others in the area, too, last night. We would like them to give us a call.

Richmond police LGBTQ Liaison Capt. Dan Minton reached out to GayRVA Sunday morning hoping those in the community might be able to help with information from friends and associates.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Major Crimes Detective Anthony Coates at (804) 646-0729or contactCrime Stoppers at 780-1000 or at www.7801000.com.

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